Counselling for Anxiety

Most of us know that some level of anxiety is a normal part of life. But knowing that doesn’t make it feel any less uncomfortable. Millions of people search online or reach out to their GP or a therapist each year, hoping to find ways to ease the symptoms.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress or danger. It’s often described as a feeling of unease, apprehension, or fear. While it can sometimes be helpful - for example, keeping us alert in risky situations - it can also feel overwhelming and exhausting when it sticks around for too long.

Anxiety and Stress: The Chicken and the Egg

Stress and anxiety are deeply connected. Stress activates your body’s 'fight or flight' response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This speeds up your heart rate and breathing, preparing you to deal with a perceived threat.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is more about what’s happening in the mind - ongoing worry, fear, or unease. But here’s the tricky part: anxiety can trigger the stress response, and when anxiety becomes chronic, it may keep the stress response switched on.

The Impact of Chronic Anxiety

When the stress response is overactive, it can show up in the body as:

• Heart palpitations

• Muscle tension

• Difficulty breathing

• Feeling restless or 'on edge'

  
  

Over time, chronic anxiety and stress can affect both the body and mind. They can contribute to issues like hormonal imbalance, increased inflammation, or low immunity and, in turn, create even more anxiety.

In Summary

Anxiety and stress are part of being human, but when the cycle becomes constant, it can take a real toll on health and wellbeing. Understanding how anxiety works is the first step toward breaking that cycle — and finding ways to feel calmer, safer, and more in control.

Working with a therapist can give you tools and strategies to help manage anxiety in a way that feels safe and supportive. Different approaches may be used, depending on what works best for you. These might include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques: noticing and gently reshaping anxious thought patterns.

• Exposure techniques: gradually, and at your pace, facing fears in small, manageable steps or or breaking down situations you’ve been avoiding into achievable steps.

• Mindfulness practices: learning how to stay grounded and calm in the present moment.

• Grounding practices: e.g. breathing exercises you can use when anxiety spikes.

• Gently challenging beliefs: Is the meaning you are giving a behaviour factual?